Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Holland Park staging project

Signature Home Styling

Photo of a transitional galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Traditional with a modern twist

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

Inspiration for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Woodlands- Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

Transitional Kitchen

Expansive transitional galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, with island, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, beige benchtop, stone slab splashback, an undermount sink, black cabinets, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Kitchen Renovation In Vienna, VA

Dulles Kitchen and Bath

This stunning kitchen renovation, completed by Dulles Kitchen and Bath in Vienna, VA, showcases a perfect blend of style and functionality. Featuring elegant natural wood cabinetry, a bold navy island with ample storage, and a bright quartz countertop, this space is designed for both cooking and entertaining. The modern pendant lighting, sleek hardware, and luxurious finishes create a transitional design that feels both timeless and inviting. With attention to detail and expert craftsmanship, Dulles Kitchen and Bath has transformed this kitchen into a warm and sophisticated heart of the home.

Kitchen

AHD&Co

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and green benchtop.

2016 Artisan Home Tour

Housing First Minnesota

Builder: Great Neighborhood Homes Artisan Home Tour 2016
This is an example of a transitional open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

Island Green Ct - Harvey Reno

MMI Design

This existing client reached out to MMI Design for help shortly after the flood waters of Harvey subsided. Her home was ravaged by 5 feet of water throughout the first floor. What had been this client's long-term dream renovation became a reality, turning the nightmare of Harvey's wrath into one of the loveliest homes designed to date by MMI. We led the team to transform this home into a showplace. Our work included a complete redesign of her kitchen and family room, master bathroom, two powders, butler's pantry, and a large living room. MMI designed all millwork and cabinetry, adjusted the floor plans in various rooms, and assisted the client with all material specifications and furnishings selections. Returning these clients to their beautiful '"new" home is one of MMI's proudest moments!

New Construction Kitchen

User

Stefanie Rawlinson Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Contemporary Shaker Kitchen

Tom Howley

This bright and light shaker style kitchen is painted in bespoke Tom Howley paint colour; Chicory, the light Ivory Spice granite worktops and Mazzano Tumbled marble flooring create a heightened sense of space.

Watertown MA - Kitchen Remodel & Addition

Rebel Builders

Industrial transitional English style kitchen. The addition and remodeling were designed to keep the outdoors inside. Replaced the uppers and prioritized windows connected to key parts of the backyard and having open shelvings with walnut and brass details. Custom dark cabinets made locally. Designed to maximize the storage and performance of a growing family and host big gatherings. The large island was a key goal of the homeowners with the abundant seating and the custom booth opposite to the range area. The booth was custom built to match the client's favorite dinner spot. In addition, we created a more New England style mudroom in connection with the patio. And also a full pantry with a coffee station and pocket doors.

Yorktown -- Candace

Cabinet & Stone City

Transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Bow Mar Ranch Remodel

KGA Studio Architects, PC

Transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and timber.

Post & Paddock

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wichita Creek Estates

Pipkin Homes LLC

Costa Christ Media
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kensington

Cooley Custom Cabinetry

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Carmina Rd SW17 - kitchen extension

Plus Rooms

Fine House Photography
Mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige cabinets and beige benchtop.

Kitchen Addition

Cross Cabinets

Matt Dunmore Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, a farmhouse sink and quartzite benchtops.

Kitchen

AHD&Co

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and green benchtop.

Transitional Open Plan Kitchen Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Transitional Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!